Woman interrupts Wendell Pierce during 'Death of a Salesman', is removed from theatre

by Chris Peterson, OnStage Blog Founder

The December 27th performance of Broadway’s ‘Death of a Salesman’ was interrupted by a woman seated in the orchestra section of the theatre.

The woman began to yell at the show’s star, Wendell Pierce, during Act 2. Pierce tried to diffuse the situation as theatre security stepped in and eventually, police entered the theatre to remove the woman.

Video of the incident was spread far and wide on social media.

@playbill\u2069 \u2066<a href=https://www.onstageblog.com/"https://twitter.com/BroadwayWorld?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\%22>@BroadwayWorld\u2069 \u2066<a href=https://www.onstageblog.com/"https://twitter.com/Salesman_Bway?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\%22>@Salesman_Bway\u2069 Unfortunate disruption at beginning of Act 2 of the terrific Death of a Salesman tonight. 1-2 <a href=https://www.onstageblog.com/"https://twitter.com/hashtag/playbill?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\%22>#playbill</a> <a href=https://www.onstageblog.com/"https://twitter.com/hashtag/broadway?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\%22>#broadway</a> <a href=https://www.onstageblog.com/"https://twitter.com/hashtag/SalesmanOnBroadway?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\%22>#SalesmanOnBroadway</a> <a href=https://www.onstageblog.com/"https://twitter.com/hashtag/newyorkcity?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\%22>#newyorkcity</a> <a href=https://www.onstageblog.com/"https://t.co/Kk5rcb6BNE/">pic.twitter.com/Kk5rcb6BNE

&mdash; Robert Stein (@robertstein100) <a href=https://www.onstageblog.com/"https://twitter.com/robertstein100/status/1607955758305402882?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\%22>December 28, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src=https://www.onstageblog.com/"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js/" charset=\"utf-8\"></script>"}" data-block-type="22" id="block-yui_3_17_2_1_1672321545417_35984">

Reports also were spread around the internet that the woman was drunk and her husband tried unsuccessfully to get her to leave during intermission. It is my hope that her name is documented and she is barred from attending any Broadway theatre going forward.

When reached for a comment, the producers of Death of a Salesman told Playbill, "We’re grateful to the entire team at the Hudson Theatre for working together to resolve the situation and resume the performance as quickly as possible.”

While this is certainly an ugly scene involving someone who has issues with alcohol and should probably get some help, I hope it doesn’t take away from the absolutely brilliant production that is taking place at the Hudson Theatre.